WATT Money for roads?

THERE’s no commitment for substantial investment into local roads gazetted for b-double use, despite the region’s contribution to the national economy and global food security. Woolsthorpe-Heywood Road has long been the focus for much needed funding from one end of the 75 kilometre stretch of the road to the other. Photo: SPEC FILE.

By Lizzie Hallam

December 25, 2023 | 6:00 PM

A CHUCKLE was the response from Federal Agricultural minister, Murray Watt recently, to the suggestion south west Victoria’s roads urgently warrants an investment of $1.5 billion.

The notion was posed to the minister at the Rural Press Club breakfast in Melbourne in October in the context that the network of roads in south west Victoria carried Australia’s largest agricultural production region, which is dominated by dairy, beef and sheep industries and supplies 14 per cent of Victoria’s fresh seafood - thus deserving of a fairer portion.